According to a recent report by the Zambezi Society, Unesco representatives and government officials recently visited the area on a fact-finding mission and consulted technical and legal advisors.
“As a result of its findings, Unesco Zimbabwe has advised the World Heritage Centre that it strongly discourages mining or mining exploration in the world heritage property and its immediate environs,” says the report, adding that mining activities would jeopardise all conservation initiatives in the park.
Habbard Investments (Pvt) Ltd is exploring minerals along major tributaries of the Zambezi River such as Rukomechi, Chewore and Sapi rivers in the valley, which is rich in wildlife.
An environmental catastrophe is also unfolding in the Gwayi/Shangani conservancy in Matabeleland North where conservancies have been allocated, in unclear circumstances, to Chinese mining firms prospecting for minerals and extracting coal.
The Hwange/Gwayi Conservation and Tourism Association was recently forced to call a meeting of stakeholders to find a possible solution to the illegal mining activities, which are polluting rivers and threatening to extinguish wild animals in the area.
Post published in: Business